USIU

DICKSON JOHN FINNEY

646509

GLOBAL WARMING
COURSE: ENG 1106C
TIME/DAYS: M/W 1:20 3:00 PM

INSTRUCTOR: QUIN AWUOR

Date of submission: 20.07.2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to Global Warming...1

Causes of Global Warming
Carbon dioxide...3
Deforestation..4
Methane..5
Conclusion7
References.8

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INTRODUCTION
Global Warming is a term for the observed century-scale rise in the average
temperature of the Earth's climate system and its related effects (Global warming,
2015). The Earth is getting hotter and hotter. In order understand what Global
Warming is, you first must understand what greenhouse effect is. Greenhouse gases
(GHGs) trap heat in the atmosphere. This trapped heat keeps the earth warm in
order for us to survive. The Earth gets energy from the sun in the form of sunlight.
Some of the energy from the sun is absorbed by Earth and heats up. The Earth
cools down by giving off a different form of energy called Infrared Radiation. This
Infrared Radiation is again absorbed by the GHGs making the Earths surface
warmer (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2014).

"The green house effect" by ZooFari - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_green_house_effect.svg#/media/File:The_green_house_effect.svg

The diagram above illustrates the Greenhouse Effect.

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Due to some natural and human causes there has been excess GHGs
accumulating in the atmosphere gradually increasing the Earths temperature.
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, ozone, and water vapor are the most
common GHGs causing Global Warming. Over the last few years there has been a
significant increase in temperature all over the world. Scientists were more than 95
percent certain that most of global warming is caused by increasing concentrations
of

greenhouse

gases

and

other

human

(anthropogenic)

activities

(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2014). The year 2014 was
ranked as Earths warmest since 1880, according to two separate analyses by
NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists
(NASA, 2015). This is the latest in a series of warm years, in a series of warm
decades. While the ranking of individual years can be affected by chaotic weather
patterns, the long-term trends are attributable to drivers of climate change that right
now are dominated by human emissions of greenhouse gases, said Goddard
Institute for Space Studies (GISS) Director Gavin Schmidt (NASA, 2015). Global
Warming is a serious threat and measures should be taken immediately to reduce
its effects.

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CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

Carbon dioxide
Let me start by discussing the causes of Global Warming. One of the prime reasons for Global
warming is the increased emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) into the atmosphere. CO 2 is mainly
produced from burning of fossil fuels like Coal to produce electricity. Increasing addiction to
technology has caused a magnificent rise in the demand for electricity. Everyday new gadgets are
invented and flooded into the market increasing the requirement for electricity. The combustion
of fossil fuels to generate electricity is the largest single source of CO 2 emissions in the nation,
accounting for about 37% of total U.S. CO 2 emissions and 31% of total U.S. greenhouse
gas emissions in 2013 (United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2015). Another
reason for the increased emission of CO 2 is due to the burning of gasoline for transportation.
Increasing population means there is an increasing demand for the production of motor vehicles
which in turn causes a rise in demand for gasoline. The combustion of fossil fuels such as
gasoline and diesel to transport people and goods is the second largest source of CO 2 emissions,
accounting for about 31% of total U.S. CO 2 emissions and 26% of total U.S. greenhouse
gas emissions in 2013 (EPA, 2015).

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Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html

Pie chart shows CO2 emissions by use. 37 percent is electricity, 31 percent is transportation, 15
percent is industry, 10 percent is residential and commercial, and 6 percent is other (non-fossil
fuel combustion).
Deforestation
On the other hand Deforestation is another major reason for excess GHGs accumulating in the
atmosphere. 31 percent of the total land area on Earth is covered by forests (World Wildlife Fund
for nature [WWF], 2015). Deforestation comes in many forms, including Commercial logging,
clearance for agriculture, roads and railways, forest fires, mining and drilling, fuel wood
collection and clearance for living space. Due to Deforestation forests of 36 football fields
equivalent are destroyed every minute (WWF, 2015). Forests play a huge role in reducing
climate change since they act as carbon sinks- they absorb CO2 (GHG) in the atmosphere and
convert it into Oxygen through the process of Respiration. In the Amazon around 17 percent of
the forest has been lost in the last 50 years, mostly due to forest conversion for cattle ranching. It
is estimated that more than 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released to the atmosphere due
to deforestation, mainly the cutting and burning of forests, every year (WWF, 2015).
Illegal Logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws.
Illegal logging is the prime reason for Deforestation. This destruction threatens some of the
worlds most famous and valuable forests, including rainforests in the Amazon, Congo Basin,
Indonesia and the forests of the Russian Far East (WWF, 2015). Just like coal and gasoline,
GHGs are released into the atmosphere when wood in burnt for fuel and heat. Most of the illegal
removal of timer from the forests is used for fuel and heat.
A Forest fire is another way deforestation could occur. Forest fires have a devastating effect
on forests. Forest fires can be both Natural and human caused. Other than lightning, humanrelated activities are the main cause for wildfires. Unattended or out-of-control campfires and
discarded burning cigarettes are some of the examples of human-related activities that cause
wildfires. In the year 2014, 44.8 percent of the wildfires were due to human activities while 55.2
percent of the wildfires were due to Lightning (British Columbia Wildfire Service [BC], 2014).
Slash-and-burn is an agricultural technique that involves cutting and burning of plants and trees
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in forests to create fields (Slash-and-burn, 2015). The resulting layer of ash provides the soil with
high nutrients to fertilize crops. However, the resulting fertile soil will only remain fertile for a
couple of years after which all nutrients will be used up. Farmers will then abandon that piece of
degraded land and acquire a new plot by clearing more forests therefore causing massive
deforestation.
Methane
Industry Methane emissions play an important role in global climate change. Natural gas and
petroleum systems are responsible for 29 percent of the total global methane emissions (EPA,
2015). Methane's lifetime in the atmosphere is much shorter than carbon dioxide (CO 2), but
Methane (CH4) is more efficient at trapping the suns radiation than CO 2. CH4 is emitted into the
earths atmosphere during the production, processing, storage, transmission, and distribution of
natural gas and petroleum.
Methane is also extensively produced by the livestock industry worldwide. Livestock such as
cattle, buffalo and sheep produce large amounts of methane as their normal digestive process
(enteric fermentation). Methane is also produced from manure that is stored in anaerobic
conditions such as pits and tanks. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure
management represent 25.9 percent and 9.6 percent of total CH4 emissions from anthropogenic
activities, respectively (EPA, 2015).
Another important source of methane is landfill sites. Landfill sites are dumped with our
everyday organic waste and as every time new garbage comes in, it is dumped over the existing
garbage that was already there. The organic garbage gets trapped in anaerobic conditions and
therefore provides excellent conditions for methane production. Even if the landfill site is closed
down, the garbage which was buried will continue producing methane into the atmosphere.
Methane emissions from landfills represent 18 percent of the total CH 4 emissions from
anthropogenic activities (EPA, 2015).

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Retrieved from http://epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html

Pie chart shows CH4 emissions by use. 29 percent is from Natural gas and Petroleum
Systems, 26 percent is from Enteric Fermentation, 18 percent is from Landfills, 10
percent is from Coal Mining, 10 percent is from Manure Management and 8 percent is
from other sources.

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CONCLUSION
Global warming has been a serious threat to humanity and measures should be taken
immediately to prevent further damage to our only home. Like the famous quote by Audrey
Hepburn, Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!, global warming can be
made to come to a stop but it starts with you and me. Though you might feel like your lifestyle is
insignificant compared to things like oil extraction or vehicle emissions, the choices we make in
our day-to-day life- how we get around, what we eat, how we live- play a major role in slowing
climate change. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to help do your part in
the fight against global warming. One of the easiest things one can do to fight global warming to
replace all your light bulbs into fluorescent bulbs which consume minimal electricity compared
to traditional bulbs. Turn off the lights when you dont need them. You can as well reduce
general electricity usage by unplugging your electronics completely instead of switching them
off since most electronics still consume electricity when they are switched off. When buying
electronics, purchase electronics that has ENERGY STAR ratings, an international standard for
energy-efficient consumer products, typically utilize a minimum of 20 % less energy. Plants are
our new lifesavers therefore plant trees that will provide shade and soak up carbon from the
atmosphere instead of ornamental trees. Walking or cycling instead of driving can play a huge
role in reducing the global CO2 emissions and it can also get you into better shape! If driving
cannot be avoided then purchase a fuel-efficient car or use public transport where possible.
Modify your diet to include less meat so that methane and carbon dioxide emissions from
livestock can be reduced. The most important contribution to prevent global warming is to
educate people about global warming and its causes and effects. Teach people on how an
individual can contribute their part to fight global warming. Global warming is irreversible but
not unstoppable!

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References
British Columbia Wildfire Service. (2014). Fire Averages. Retrieved from
http://bcwildfire.com/History/average.htm

Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). The Greenhouse Effect. Retrieved from

http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/basics/today/greenhouse-effect.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2015). Overview of Greenhouse Gases.

Retrieved from
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html

Global warming. (2015). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2014). Climate Change 2013: The Physical
Science Basis. Retrieved from
http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_ALL_FINAL.pdf
NASA. (2015). NASA, NOAA Find 2014 Warmest Year in Modern Record [Press release].
Retrieved from
http://www.nasa.gov/press/2015/january/nasa-determines-2014-warmest-year- in-modernrecord
Slash-and-burn. (2015). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash-and-burn

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United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2015).

Greenhouse Gases. Retrieved from

Overview of

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html

World Wildlife Fund for nature. (2015). Deforestation. Retrieved from

http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation

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